Chinese: Cheng – Chinese Pipa & Gugin Player | UK

Chinese Music (Cheng)

Cheng is an internationally renowned pipa and guqin virtuoso, scholar and specialist in Chinese music. She holds degrees in Chinese music from Xi’an Conservatory of Music, China(BMus.) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (MMus, PhD). She performs, records and researches both traditional and contemporary Chinese music as well as cross-cultural music collaborations. She is the founder of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble and London Youlan Qin Society and currently teaches the pipa, guqin and Chinese ensemble classes at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS).

Her recent research projects include the recreation of the 5 stringed pipa (lost since the 8th century Tang Dynasty) which won her major awards from Women in Music, the Arts Council of England and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The world premiere of the 5-stringed pipa in spring 2005 was highly acclaimed and a CD recording was published in spring 2006. In 1994 she co-founded the UK Chinese Ensemble.

Cheng’s many published recordings include her pipa and guqin solo albums and a number of CDs with the UK Chinese Ensemble and in collaboration with musicians from other parts of the world.

The internationally recognised UK Chinese Ensemble was founded in 1994. The ensemble seeks to promote a wide variety of traditional repertoires as well as exploring contemporary styles. In addition to regular concerts, the ensemble presents workshops and other out-reach activities to a wide range of groups within the community. Since it’s founding, the ensemble has performed throughout Europe.

The Edinburgh International Festival The Jersey Folk Music Festival The Royal Festival Hall in London Womad Grand Union The London Sinfonietta, The Lyon Ensemble Orchestra Contemporain The Avignon Orchestra The Edinburgh String Quartet World of Strings Realworld ARC China Arts BMG EMI